WOGK HistoryThanks
to Marc
Tyll for this history of WOGK.WOGK began
broadcasting on November 7, 1960 at 93.7 mHz, with 4,200 watts as WMOP-FM,
co-owned with country giant legend WMOP-AM
900. The format was Pop and remained with that format until 1973 when WMOP-FM
increased its power to 100,000 watts and changed its call letters to WFUZ--named
to honor the area's police officers. Kirk considers the development of the FM
station in this area as one his greatest accomplishments.
At that time, WFUZ became Ocalaís first and only Easy Listening station
with special Big Band programming in the afternoons. Big Daddy Miles Foland,
a long time broadcast legend in Cincinnati, had retired to Ocala years earlier
and was the afternoon air talent on WTMC-AM 1290. WFUZ's owner,
"Country" Jim Kirk, lured Big Daddy away from WTMC
to host the afternoon Big Band show on the new 100,000 watt WFUZ.
Programming on WFUZ remained easy listening until 1983 when it was
decided to switch the nighttime programming to country to better compete against
another FM country station that recently commenced 24-hour operations. However,
the daytime on WFUZ remained Easy Listening until 1985. Thatís when
Country Jim decided it was time to sell the FM, and a switch was made to
full-time Adult Contemporary. The new owners, Dix Communications,
constructed a new transmitter plant and studio in 1986. The call letters were
changed to WMMZ and it became a cult following CHR known as "Z-93".
The New CHR "Z-93" remained a hit until it all came to an end
in March of 1994. Thatís when Dix Communications decided to take 93.7
in a different direction. So a new general manager and staff was hired. The call
letters were once again changed, this time to WOGK, and the format became
a mix of modern and classic country, known as "K-Country, 93FM".

WMMZ-FM to change to WOGKOcala Star-Banner (FL)-
Friday, March 11, 1994Author: Star-Banner
staffOCALA - Adult contemporary rock radio
station WMMZ-FM ("Z-93")
gets a new name, as well as a new format, later today. WOGK-FM
("K Country 93.7") is scheduled to begin broadcasting at 5
p.m. today, station officials said Thursday, with what is to be a
blend of old and new country music. To help with the transition, the
station owners recently hired Jim Robertson as the general manager.
Robertson had served as operations manager for KIKK in Houston. "Jim
brings a lot of country expertise to our new format, having worked at
one of the leading country stations in Houston," said Chuck Dix,
president of the station's parent company, Ohio-based Dix Radio Group. Former
general manager Chris Corson will serve as station manager.
The switch was made because country is
currently the most popular radio format among adult listeners, Robertson said
earlier this week. K Country will compete with the market's top station, WTRS-FM
102.3 and long-time Ocala country station WMOP-AM
900. Officials at both stations expect K Country to have
minimal impact on their share of listeners. "We were country when
country wasn't cool," said M.J.
Lucas, program director for WMOP. The station was recently bought
by Dick Andrews and
plays a mix of old and new country music.